Matthew 14

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,” Naming Herod and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew…” Naming Baptist and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.” The line’s distinctive content terms include counted, death, feared. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.” Naming Herod and Herodias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.” Naming Whereupon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.” Naming Baptist and Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.” Naming John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.” The line’s distinctive content terms include charger, damsel, head. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include desert, disciples, evening. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“He said, Bring them hither to me.” Naming Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he…” The line’s distinctive content terms include apart, evening, mountain. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” The line’s distinctive content terms include contrary, midst, ship. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cried, disciples, fear. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Naming Come and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” The line’s distinctive content terms include ceased, ship, wind. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Naming Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.” Naming Gennesaret keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto…” The line’s distinctive content terms include country, diseased, knowledge. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” The line’s distinctive content terms include besought, garment, perfectly. Its relationship to verses 35 shows what work it does in this passage.